This year’s theme was “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” exploring the interplay of manmade and machine-made elements in fashion—and many guests decided to take the techy element to “Terminator”-inspired extremes. Others barely gave a nod to the exhibit theme, choosing gowns that would have been more at home on your everyday awards-show carpet.

The best looks were those that looked fiercely individual and that incorporated technology in new and interesting ways.

Well, duh: The cool teens killed it. Between the cropped pants, the dreads, and the stance, the kids nailed offbeat elegance with an ease that most of the of-legal-drinking-age crowd will never approach.

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Emma Watson in Calvin Klein

Great train action on this one, and pants to boot. Designed in partnership with Eco-Age, Watson's look was as sustainable as it was showstopping (seriously—the fabric was made from recycled plastic bottles).

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Beyoncé in Givenchy

Go ahead, call it "condom couture"—nothing is going to take away from the amount of slay in this gown. We especially like the nod to her tour wardrobe, which incorporates both puffed sleeves and skintight latex (who knew that combination even existed?).

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Solange Knowles in David LaPort

Did Solange intentionally dress up as lemonade? Maybe not—nevertheless, the bright yellow was a jolt of energy amid a sea of silver, gunmetal, and black. It was also very cool to see a star supporting an emerging designer on such a big stage. (LaPort launched his Amsterdam-based line in 2012.)

How incredible is this? The gown was lit—yes, literally—with LEDs throughout the bodice and skirt. Finally, someone having some fun with the theme.

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Alexa Chung in Thakoon

The idea to wear sequined pajamas to the Met Gala is brilliant—they're perfect for taking a disco nap before the after-parties. The slicked-back hair gives the whole look a David Bowie vibe that we're very much digging.

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Zoe Saldana in Dolce and Gabbana

Rihanna’s golden fur-trimmed cape from last year's gala may be a hard act to follow, but Saldana put up a strong showing with this glorious peacock plume of a train. When you're ascending the Met steps, you want to make an entrance, and this dress certainly delivered.

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Jourdan Dunn in Balmain

A shining (ha) example of how to get the robot look right, this column gown incorporated Chrysler Building–esque architectural elements with Olivier Rousteing's signature curve-hugging silhouette.

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Lily Rose Depp in Chanel

The bomber jacket shrugged off the shoulders just so, the '90s supermodel pose—not to take anything away from the gown, but this win was all about attitude.

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Florence Welch in Gucci

This dress had so much shimmer. it practically looked slippery, turning the singer into an iridescent subaquatic princess on the red carpet—just the kind of magic we've come to expect from Alessandro Michele.